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Primary Documents - UK Daily Mirror News Report, 4 August 1914

With
Britain's decision to enter the war on 4 August 1914 and its consequent
declaration against Germany, popular enthusiasm for the government's stance
(led by Prime Minister
Herbert Asquith)
was overwhelming.

Reproduced below is the text of the front page of the bestselling Daily
Mirror newspaper for that date, 4 August 1914.

DAILY MIRROR, NEWS HEADLINES, 4 AUGUST 1914

Great Britain Declares War on Germany

Declaration last night after 'unsatisfactory reply' to
British ultimatum that Belgium must be kept neutral

The King's Message to his Navy

Government to take control of all railways Admiral
Jellicoe to be in supreme command of the Home Fleets

Huge Crowds Cheer Their Majesties at Palace

£100,000,000 voted in Commons in five minutes German
invasion of Belgium with airships

Great Britain Declares War on Germany

Great Britain is in a state of war with Germany. It
was officially stated at the Foreign Office last night that Great Britain
declared war against Germany at 7.00pm. The British Ambassador in
Berlin has been handed his passport.

War was Germany's reply to our request that she should
respect the neutrality of Belgium, whose territories we were bound in honour
and by treaty obligations to maintain inviolate.

Speaking in a crowded and hushed House the Premier
yesterday afternoon made the following statement: "We have made a request to
the German Government that we shall have a satisfactory assurance as to the
Belgian neutrality before midnight tonight."

The German reply to our request, officially stated last
night, was unsatisfactory.

The King and His Navy

The King has addressed the following message to Admiral
Sir John Jellicoe: "At this grave moment in our national history I send to
you and, through you, to the officers and men of the fleets, of which you
have assumed command, the assurance of my confidence that under your
direction they will revive and renew the old glories of the Royal Navy, and
prove once again the sure shield of Britain and of her Empire in the hour of
trial."

The above message has been communicated to the senior
naval officers on all stations outside of home waters.

It was reported yesterday evening that Germany had taken
the first hostile step by destroying a British mine-layer.

At the present time Germany is in a state of war with:
Great Britain, Russia, France and Belgium.

It would seem as if Germany, in her ambition to control
the destiny of the whole of Europe, were ready to embark on any grandiose
scheme of adventure, however precarious her chances.

So far as Great Britain is concerned, her attitude has
always been plain, straightforward and perfectly intelligible. She was
prepared to stand aside from the conflict that has now involved practically
the whole of Europe.

But she insisted and had to insist on two things: these
were that Belgium's neutrality should be respected; and that the German
fleet should not bombard defenceless French towns.

Germany tried to bribe us with peace to desert our
friends and duty. But Great Britain has preferred the path of honour.

Chief of the Fleets

Sir John R Jellicoe has assumed the supreme command of
the Home Fleets, with the acting rank of Admiral. Rear Admiral Charles
E Madden has been appointed to be his chief of staff. Field Marshal Sir John
French, the famous cavalry leader, has been appointed Inspector General to
the Forces.

Mr Lloyd George subsequently announced in the House that
the Government was engaged in preparing a scheme for the distribution of
food, and hoped that it would be completed in the course of one or two days.
The House unanimously passed in five minutes all outstanding votes,
amounting to over £100,000,000.

An Order in Council has been issued declaring it
expedient that Government should have control over the railroads of Great
Britain.

Mr Asquith's Statement

In a strained silence in every part of the House of
Commons yesterday, the Prime Minister made his momentous statement.

He explained how the King of the Belgians had appealed to
England for diplomatic intervention on behalf of his country - Germany
having demanded free passage for her troops through Belgium, promising to
maintain the integrity and independence of the kingdom.

"Simultaneously," continued Mr Asquith, "we received from
the Belgian Legation in London the following telegram from the Belgian
Minister for Foreign Affairs: 'The General Staff announce that territory has
been violated at Verviers, near Aix-la-Chapelle. Subsequent information
tends to show that a German force has penetrated still further into Belgian
territory.'"

"We also received this morning from the German Ambassador
here a telegram sent to him from the German Foreign Secretary: 'Please
dispel any distrust that must exist on the part of the British Government
with regard to our intentions by repeating, most positively, the formal
assurance that, even in case of armed conflict with Belgium, Germany will
not, under any pretence whatever, annex Belgian territory. Please impress
upon Sir Edward Grey that the German Army could not be exposed to a French
attack across Belgium, which was planned according to absolutely
unimpeachable information.'"

"I have," continued Mr Asquith, "to add this on behalf of
the Government: we cannot regard this as in any sense a satisfactory
communication."

"We have, in reply to it, repeated the request we made
last week to the German Government that they should give us the same
assurance with regard to Belgian neutrality as was given to us and to
Belgium by France last week."

"We have asked that a reply to that request and a
satisfactory answer to the telegram of this morning, which I have read to
the House should be given before midnight."

Roars of Cheers for the King

The King and Queen, accompanied by the Prince of Wales
and Princess Mary, were hailed with wild, enthusiastic cheers when they
appeared at about eight o'clock last night on the balcony of Buckingham
Palace, before which a record crowd had assembled.

Seeing the orderliness of the crowd, the police did not
attempt to force the people back and went away.

A little later the police passed the word around that
silence was necessary as the King was holding a meeting in the Palace, and
except for a few spasmodic outbursts there was silence for a time.

Afterwards the cheering was renewed with increased vigour
and soon after 11.00pm the King and Queen and Prince of Wales made a further
appearance on the balcony and the crown once more sang the National Anthem,
following this with hearty clapping and cheering.

After the departure of the royal party some minutes later
many of the crowd dispersed. Several enthusiasts, however, stayed outside
keeping up the demonstration by shouting and waving flags.

Why There is War

The following statement was issued from the Foreign
Office last night: Owing to the summary rejection by the German Government
of the request made by his Majesty's Government for assurances that the
neutrality of Belgium would be respected, his Majesty's Ambassador in Berlin
has received his passport, and his Majesty's Government has declared to the
German Government that a state of war exists between Great Britain and
Germany as from 11.00pm on August 4.

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